© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Maximianus VIRTVS AVGG; Hercules
| Gold | 5.9 g | - |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Maximian Herculius (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus) (286-305) Diocletian (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) (284-305) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 284-294 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 5.9 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#306478 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Hercules, standing right, strangling lion; behind, club.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
VIRTVS AVGG
-/-//PR
Translation:
Virtus Augustorum.
Courage of the emperors (Augusti).
Comment
Mass varies: 5.89–5.9 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Maximianus (VIRTVS AVGG; Hercules) coin is that it features an image of the Roman god Hercules on one side, while the other side bears the image of the emperor Maximianus. This coin was minted during a time when the Roman Empire was transitioning from a republic to an empire, and the image of Hercules was likely chosen to symbolize the strength and power of the Roman state. Additionally, the fact that the coin was made of gold, a valuable and durable metal, further highlights the wealth and prestige of the Roman Empire during this time period.
